He woke up to 1,200 text messages and 400 emails. JOE CRAFT CENTER As the inside linebackers coach at Pennsylvania (1998) he helped the team to a share of the 1988 Ivy League championship. This is a tough day for me, but somebody has gotta tell the truth on what us athletes are going through during this pandemic. In September 2013, the Lexington Herald-Leader, the daily newspaper of nearby Lexington, reported that EKU was considering moving its program to the top-level Football Bowl Subdivision. Eastern Kentucky football hopes continuity in key areas will boost FCS Dietzel helped the Cardinals to a 7-1 record in 2020, a victory over No. Landon White, a kicker, and graduate from Madison Central High School took to Instagram to explain his reason for leaving the team. Former Frederick Douglass High School athletics director Garry McPeek is the acting head coach for the Eastern Kentucky University football team in the absence of Walt . Allen . McLendon has good play strength, so teams will find all of the desirable traits in a developmental Day 3 interior defender. Although its safe to say hes significantly far along in at least one aspect of his recovery. During this time period they went 46-7 under legendary coach Roy Kidd. Hes a really good person and a really solid coach., Dietzel spent seven seasons at Western Kentucky (2003-09), including three as defensive coordinator. What if he didnt knock on Wellss closed door or left when he didnt hear an answer, which staffers say is what they normally do, assuming the coach was hard at work? Ball State ranked 15th nationally in turnovers gained (24) in 2019. Then [the nurse] goes, Do you see, Jen? He looked at me, and I thought, I don't think he has brain damage. I had to be pretty strong for my two kids, because they kept looking at me. Director of Athletics Communications Rixon Lane was tasked with readying statements for various scenarios, but he couldnt bring himself to think hed have to write one announcing Wells had passed away. He is still a bit raw, and pad level prevents him from shedding blocks in the run game. TK McLendon Jr. is an athletic interior defender with great size. It is good to have him on board.. Then I told him, Coach, your fridge was empty. Football Coaches - Eastern Kentucky University Athletics Football Coaching Staff. His chest is still a little sore from the compressions and he says hes easing himself back into things, but opinions differ among staff and players around how successful his efforts really are in terms of slowing down along the sidelines. Every single day we talk about them, so [we had to be] able to live up to what we talk about no matter whats going on. McKinney and Jones combined for two touchdowns in the first quarter and Keyion Dixon made it 20-7 in the second quarter following a Bulldogs fumble when he made a juggling catch of a long pass for a 50-yard score. He spent his first week back on the job largely on a golf cart, off to the side, before the Bowling Green game Sept. 10, which he joked was a good test of how well his heart was working. His first step is elite, and he's coming off a season where he led all players at the position with a 92.4 PFF pass-rushing grade and should . However, he has good quickness to shoot gaps and impact the mesh point. EKU responds after kicker quits team, makes strong allegations - WYMT Peterson estimated that if Wellss heart had been stopped for any more than about five minutes, he wouldnt be here right now. Football Coaches - Kentucky State University Athletics Dietzel also coached at Colorado (1985-86), Earlham (1987) and Johns Hopkins (1994). I always ask him if he wants me to shut the door. The official Roster for the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels The official staff directory for the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels Staff Directory - Eastern Kentucky University Athletics Skip To Main Content Pause All Rotators Skip To Main Content Eastern Kentucky University Athletics at It was important for him to see Wells as soon as he could, and he was there on the day Wells woke up in the hospital. The Citadel's Emeka Nwanze rushed for 114 yards, while quarterback Brandon Rainey had a rushing and passing touchdown. To try to coax Wells awake, his son, KJ, played music from Guns N Roses (Walts daily alarm) and Lynyrd Skynyrds Free Bird. His daughter, Maddie, recited to him the coachspeak of Pain is weakness leaving the body. The stubborn coach also showed signs he was fighting while under sedation. The EKU Colonels played in the inaugural Opportunity Bowl presented by Raising Cane's, and in memory of Dr. Sheila Pressley, on Nov. 21, 2020. The suspension of air operations was effective immediately, with units grounded until they complete the training, said Lt. Col. Terence Kelley, an Army spokesperson. Weve got great players and great coaches who have put a lot of work into this program. Eastern Kentucky University football is considered the first dynasty in FCS football. The AD also tried to make sure no assistant coaches had too many extra responsibilities. He received a masters of science in health/physical education at Morehead State in 1996. [Thomas] couldve walked out the door, Wells says. Director Athletics Communications and Public Relations (MBB Primary), Senior Assoc. He looked at me in the hospital and just said, Thomas, did you save my life? And I was like, Coach, I tried my best, Bowling says. Eastern Kentucky has won 21 conference championships, 16 outright and 5 shared.[8]. At one point, opened his eyes and looked straight at me, Jen says. #DoTheyReallyCare, A post shared by Landon White (@landon1white) on Aug 4, 2020 at 4:55pm PDT. To coincide with the recent commencement of preseason practice, weekly testing will be performed consistent with resocialization requirements. Is he going to see me graduate? I don't usually fall apart because somebody has to keep it together [since] he couldnt obviously, so I just guess I processed and I compartmentalized, but it was scary.. He also launched the athletic program at Lexingtons Frederick Douglass High School and twice coached for the Kentucky Horsemen Arena Football League team. ADDRESS RICHMOND, Ky. - EKU head football coach Walt Wells today announced the addition of seven more recruits to the program's 2023 signing class, giving the Colonels 27 newcomers in the class. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Camps are open to any and all entrants, limited only by age/grade level. 2023 Suits For Seniors Live event | EKU Football Event | 2023 Suits. 338 LEXINGTON AVE. I did not realize that was such a big deal, Wells says. The U.S. Army has grounded aviation units for training after 12 soldiers died within the last month in helicopter crashes in Alaska and Kentucky, the military branch announced Friday. He has offers from USF, Toledo, FAU, Alabama-Birmingham and Eastern Kentucky among others. McPeek, who has served as assistant director of football operations, director of football operations and finally chief of staff since joining the EKU program last year, has been named acting head coach. 2022 Eastern Kentucky Colonels Player Stats | ESPN We thank him for the great job he did here.. The Colonels finished the 2021 season with a 7-4 record, including three wins against preseason Top-25 teams. With 89 yards rushing, he became the 16th player in program history to go over 2,000 yards on the ground. What eventually got everyone into gear was a belief that their head coach was going to return. The fridge in the entryway of Walt Wellss campus office was empty. His Hitmen team led the XFL in pass defense. Entering its third year as a Field to be named CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium RICHMOND, Ky. Citizens Guaranty Bank and Eastern Kentucky University announced today the signing of an 11-year naming rights partnership for the playing surface at Roy Kidd Stadium. EKU responds after kicker quits team, makes strong allegations against coaching staff. A former offensive lineman, he dropped nearly 100 pounds in the early 2000s and had been going to yearly checkups since he was in his 30s. He just missed this route!, Jen: You do not need to get excited. At the time, the ASUN did not sponsor football, but had committed to launching an FCS football league in the near future. EKU Football Adds Two New Coaches - Maroon Nation Eastern Kentucky is scheduled to kick off its 2022 season at Eastern Michigan on Friday at 7 p.m. Im honored that our administration has the confidence in me to step in during this critical time, McPeek said. Walt: Why are they doing that? His father and uncle both died from heart-related issues, while his brother has had a quintuple bypass. One player that BYU is actively pursuing is . Eastern Michigan Transfer WR Darius Lassiter Takes BYU Visit Wells had neither. The Bowling Green Falcons will be playing at home against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at 4 p.m. Dietzel will serve as the safeties coach and McPeek will be the assistant director of football operations. * Other fees may apply at checkout. At that point, I left the room, Bowling says. They expected that maybe the coach had missed breakfast and fainted, but the reality was much worse. Including a four year run to the championship game from 1979 to 1982. Coach McPeek is wholly dedicated to Coach Wells team-first philosophy and will do an outstanding job of leading and supporting a terrific staff of coordinators, assistant coaches, and support personnel. Eastern Kentucky Colonels Football - Colonels News, Scores, Stats 14. 9th - 12th Grade as of Fall 2023. Eastern Kentucky Football | News, Scores, Highlights, Injuries, Stats, Standings, and Rumors | Bleacher Report Eastern Kentucky Football EKU Football @EKUFootball Eastern Kentucky. spent one season at Eastern Michigan where he . EKU Football Shortly after that season, the two conferences fully merged their football leagues,[5][6] announcing the new branding of United Athletic Conference in April 2023.[7]. At the top of Bowlings to-do list when he arrived the next day: get his boss some Powerade. Staff Directory ADDRESS UK ATHLETICS JOE CRAFT CENTER 338 LEXINGTON AVE. LEXINGTON, KY 40506-0604 PHONE (859) 257-8000 QUICK FACTS LOCATION: LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY ENROLLMENT: 30,000 FOUNDED: 1865 NICKNAME: WILDCATS COLORS: BLUE & WHITE PRESIDENT: ELI CAPILOUTO ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: MITCH BARNHART Skip To Main Content We have core values and we live by those. --- More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25, Eastern Kentucky Colonels @ Cincinnati Bearcats, Supplemental Privacy Policy for Singapore. He doesnt remember anything that happened. McKinney was 16-of-26 passing for 274 yards and became the EKU player to pass for four scores since Oct. 8, 2016. All Rights Reserved. The Eastern Kentucky coach recently returned to the sidelines after almost losing his life. Other than that, and I think Im bugging him, because I keep going, Are you O.K. My idea for a 10-game SEC football schedule full of rivals However, he has good quickness . A guy last night, he goes, Ive got to ask. In 2020, BSU was seventh in the nation in defensive touchdowns. Seeing the players was good for me; its good for my heartnot my heart health, but my mental health, my well-being. I love my teammates as well as my family and Ill forever cherish the l moments I had with them. The coaching staff consulted with the players, and the decision was made to continue on with game prep and a practice that understandably featured a team focusing on things beyond football. All Rights Reserved. 19 San Jose State in the Offerpad Arizona Bowl. Garry McPeek named EKU's acting head football coach section: | slug: tk-mclendon-jr-dl-eastern-kentucky | sport: football | route: article_single_special |